Site inspections and completions

To ensure that your building works comply with Building Regulations and other relevant associated legislation, we will carry out inspections of building work as it progresses.

Once you or your builder have decided to start building work, you must give us notice. If the job is being done under a Building Notice we may need further details and/or drawings.

Inspections are usually carried out at the following stages:

Commencement: at least two days' notice before the work is commenced.

Foundations excavated: when the foundations have been dug and before they are concreted

Damp proof course or tanking

Oversite

Drains laid (before and after backfill to check layout, construction and watertight)

Floor joists

Steelwork

Roof carcass

Insulation

Windows

Completion: not more than five days' notice after the work is completed

The stages for specific projects are set out in our service plan (see below).

We carry out inspections on the same day if the site inspection request is received before 10.00am.

If we are not informed of relevant stages of work for inspection, it may require the work to be opened up for inspection so that it can be ascertained whether, or not, the work complies with the Building Regulations.

You are advised to request the completion inspection (or your compliance certificate) before your builder or contractor leaves the job. Any problems can then be quickly and efficiently corrected.

Completion certificates are issued by the Councils Building Control Officer upon satisfactory completion of works (including receipt of any necessary compliance certificates).

The completion certificate is not a guarantee. It is proof that the building work has been carried out in accordance with Building Regulations and therefore is safe and legally safe.

Keep your completion certificate in a safe place as you may need it when you sell your property.

If you lose the completion certificate, the homeowner or solicitor can apply for us to search our archives for a copy. The documents provided by a designer do however remain subject to copyright laws.

Installation of Controlled Service - woodburners or new fireplaces

If you choose to have your stove installed by registered competent person, then you will not need to submit an application to Building Control. Alternatively, working in association with The National Association of Chimney Engineers (NACE), St Albans City & District Building Control has set charges to cover both the cost of this service and issuing a completion certificate for the works.